Ditching-machine.



m b m D PATENTED MAY 14, 1907.

A. J. KOOB. DITCHING MACHINE.

nrmumron FILED we. 31, 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

r I ATTORNEYS WITNESSES f /4 PATENTED MAY 14, 1907.

A. J. KOOB. DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Aug. a1. 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

[NI ENTOR.

A TTORNE'YS ul: mmms Psr ks cm, WASHINGION. n, c

No- 853,80 4. PATENTED MAY 14, 1907.

A. J. KOOB. DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 31, 1906.

n n n U Q I I IIZJJwZ, WITNESSES w; INVENTOR- r By r I @M A ITORNE YSPATENTED MAY 14, 1907.

A. J. KOOB.

DITCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 'AUG. 31, 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

N 0Q Mm J 0%,

1 Nl ENTOR.

W TNESSES A TTOR/VE Y5 mx NORRIS PETER: co, WASMINGYON, a. c.

PATENTED MAY 14, 1907.

A. J. KOOB.

DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. a1, 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

V INVENTOR,

I V/ TNESSES A TTORNE Y5 ADAM J. KOOB, or CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

DlTCHING- Specification of Letters Patent.

MACHINE.

Patented May 14, 1907.

Application filed August 31, 1906. Serial No. 332,829.

To ml]; whom'it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ADAM J. K0013, a citizen of the UnitedStates,'residing at Cedar Rapids, in the county of Linn and State ofIowa, have invented a new and useful Ditching-Machine, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to ditching machines.

The objects of the invention are to improve and simplify theconstruction of such devices; furthermore, to increase their efficiencyin operation and to decrease the expense attending their manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope ofthe following claims with- ;out'departin from the spirit of theinvention or sacr' cing any of its advantages.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification:-Figure1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of a ditching I machineconstructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a planview thereof; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailview of the forward supporting-frame forthe elevator; Fig. 5 is a planview of' the forward supporting frame; Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail viewof the mechanism for controlling the movement of the .lateral conveyer;Fig. 7 is a view of the same mechanism taken at a right angle to Fig. 6;-Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view of .the supporting frame for the rearend of the elevator;

and 9 is a plan view of the supporting frame illustrated in Fig. 8.

'. Like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in the differentfigures of the drawings.

The main frame A of the improved ditching machine preferably consists ofthe lower sills 1, the intermediate inclined bars 2, and the upperinclined bars 3, said-bars 2 and 3 being inclined rearwardly andupwardly so as to produce a frame which is comparatively high at itsrear end and comparatively low at its forward end. The main frame .A is'I supfloflteol in any suitable manner by mat-p5,.

of forward or guide wheels B. and rearward or carrying wheels C.

The excavating means which it is preferred to employ consists of a plow4 mounted upon the forward lower end of an inclined elevator D whichextends upwardly and rearwardly, as shown. For the purpose of regulatingthe depth of the out which is to be made by the plow 4, the elevator Dis provided at its for ward end with a ground wheel 5 which is adaptedto bear against the surface of the ground at one side of the out whichis to be made by the plow 4. The inclined elevator D is rovided with anendless apron or belt 6 whic 1 is adapted to receive the dirt from theplow 4 and to convey the same upwardly and rearwardly. At the upper endof the elevator D, the dirt is deposited upon a lateral conveyer E whichserves to transport the same to one side or the other of the ditchingmachine. The dirt from the lateral conveyer E is received in anysuitable receptacle, ipch as the body of the wagon F indicated in Inditching machines, it is desirable that the plow 4 and elevator D becapable of lat 8o eral adjustment so that the plow can be moved from oneside of the machine to the other and thus disposed in any desiredposition. The means which I prefer to em loy for permitting this lateraladjustment 0 the plow and elevator, preferably consists of a laterallyadjustable forward supporting frame G and a similarly adjustably rearsupporting frame H, it being understood that the elevator D is suitablyconnected with the supporting frames G and H so as to move therewith.The forward supporting frame G, as shown more particularly in Figs. 4and 5 of the drawing, preferably consists of a pair of curved main bars7, a lower cross-bar 8 5 having end flanges 9 bolted to the main bars,and an upper cross bar 10 having end flanges 11 bolted to the main bars7.

Suitably secured to the lower cross-b ar 8 of the supporting frame G, isa pair of journal roo brackets 12 in each of which is journaled avertically-disposed stud shaft 13. Each of the stud shafts 13 isprovided with a pair of rollers 14, one of which is connected with theupper end of the stud shaft and the other of 10 5 which is connectedwith the lower end thereof. The rollers 14 of the supporting frame G aresuitably mounted in a trackway 15 which 1 an. w i.

extends from side to side of the frame A of the machine and is connectedwith the lower sills 1 in any suitable manner, said trackway beingformed preferably of angle irons and closed on three sides, the fourthside of said trackway having opposite-extending flanges 16 ad ted to been aged by the rollers 14. Suitab y secured to t 1e upper cross-bar 10of the supporting frame G is a pair of journal brackets 1.7 in each ofwhich is mounted a horizontally-disposed stud sh aft 18. Mounted on eachof the stud shafts 18 is a pair of rollers 19, one of which is mountedon each end of the shaft. The rollers 19 are suitably mounted in atrackway 20 which extends from side to side of the device and isconnected in any desired manner with the machine frame A. It will beobserved that while the rollers 14 at the forward lower end of thesupporting frame G revolve around a vertical axis, the rollers 1.9 atthe rear -upper end of the supporting frame revolve around a horizontalaxis. In this way the rollers 14 are adapted to receive any rearwardstrain upon the elevator which is connected therewith, as will hereafterappear, and the rollers 19 are adapted to receive any downward straindue to the tendency of the plow 4 to enter more deeply into the ground.

The forward end of the elevator D preferably is connccted with thesupporting frame G by means of a pair of links 21 which are pivotallyconnected with the elevator, as indicated at 22, and with the lower endsof the main bars 7 of the supporting frame G, as indicated at 23.

The supporting frame H for the rear end of the inclined elevator D, isillustrated particularly in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawing. This framecomprises a pair of side bars 24 which are connected with. each other bya centrally-disposed cross-piece 25 and by end cross-pieces 26. Journaled upon the opposite ends of the side bars 24 is a pair of studshafts 27. Each of the stud shafts 27 is provided with a pair of rollers28 located on the opposite ends thereof. The rollers .28 are mounted inlaterally-extending trackways 29 which are suitably mounted upon themachine frame. is supported upon the frame H by means of links 30 whichare pivotally connected at their lower ends with the elevator, asindicated at 31, and at their upper ends with the end cross-pieces 26,as indicated at 32.

For the purpose of actuating the endless apron 6 of the elevator D, arotary shaft 33 is extended across the frame A of the machine adjacentthe supporting frame H. This shaft 33 is rotated by means of a sprocketchain 34 upon a main shaft 35 which in turn is operated by one or moresprocket chains 36 connected with sprocket wheels 37 upon' the carryingwheels C. Feathered upon the shaft- 33 at the upper end of the machineThe rear end of the elevator D frame is a sprocket wheel which isadapted to be moved longitudinally along the shaft 33 by means of an arm39 which is formed integral with one of the side bars 24 of thesupporting frame H. The sprocket wheel 38 is connected by means of asprocket chain 40 with a sprocket wheel 41 which operates the endlessapron 6 of the elevator D. It will be understood that as the featheredshaft 33 is continuously operated from the ground wheels C, said. shaftwill operate the wheel 38, and, consequently, the apron as described, itbeing obvious that the arm 39 will cause the sprocket wheel 38 to slidelongitudinally along the shaft whenever the elevator is adjusted fromone side to the other of the machine.

The means for adjusting the elevator D and plow 4 laterally with respectto the machine frame, preferably consists of a hand wheel 42 which isdisposed in position to be operated by a man standing on a platform 43at the rear upper end of the machine frame. The wheel 42 is connectedwith a shaft 1, the rear end 44 of which is journaled in a bracket arm45 and is provided with a'drum 46 on which is wound an endless flexiblel9ment 47. The endless flexible element 47 extends around a pair ofpulleys 48 mounted upon opposite sides of the machine frame. Afterpassing around. the pulleys 48 the flexible element 47 is connected inany suitable manner with an eye 49 mounted rigidly upon the rearsupporting frame H. It will be apparent that when the hand wheel 42 isrotated, the flexible element 47 will be wound upon the drum 46 in suchmanner as to move the supporting frame H in one direction or the otheracross the machine frame so as to carry with it the rear end of theelevator D. The forward end of the shaft I is journaled in suitablebracket arms 50 secured to the machine frame, and is provided'with adrum 51 on which is wound a flexible element 52. The flexible element 52extends around suitable pulleys 53 mounted at opposite sides of themachine frame, and is connected at its ends with eyes 54 upon the lowercrossbar 8 of the forward supporting frame G. It will be apparent,therefore, that the rotation of the handle 42, in addition to moving therear supporting frame H by means of the flexible element 47, will alsomove the forward supporting frame G through the medium of the flexibleelement 52 so as to move the elevator readily from side to side of themachine.

The means for raising and lowering the forward end of the elevator D andthe plow 4, so that the machine can be drawn along the ground withoutforming a ditch, when desired, preferably consists of a hand wheel 55which is adapted to operate a shaft J. The rearend 56 of the shaft J issuitably 'journaled in the machine frame so that the hand wheel 55 willbe disposed adjacent the platform 43. The shaft J, adjacentits rear end56, is formed with a universal ]O1nt 57 and is rendered extensible inits nature by means of a suitable telescopic connection 58, the forwardend of the shaft being squared and fitted into a squared socket in therear end portion of the shaft, so that while the different portions ofthe shaft J can be adjusted longitudinally with respect to each other,they will be forced to rotate together by reason of the non-circularconnection between them. Adjacent its-forward end 59, the shaft J isformed with a second universal joint 60. The forward end 59 of the shaftJ is journaled in bracket arms 61 upon the forward supporting frame Gand is provided with a worm 62 meshing with a worm wheel 63 mounted uponone end of a drum shaft 64 with which is connected a drum 65. Suitablyconnected at one end with the drum 65 is a flexible element 66, theopposite end of which is connected with a yoke 67 mounted upon theforward end of the elevator D.

It will be obvious that by rotating the hand wheel 55, the shaft Jthrough the worm gearing 62 and 63 will rotate the drum 65 and thusraise or lower the forward end of the elevator D, this upward and.downward movement of the elevator being permitted by the pivotal links21 and 30. 'I he Worm elements 62 and 63 will serve to hold the elevatorD in any desired vertical position without the use of awls and ratchets.'i he use of the universal oints 57 and 60 together with the telescopicconnection 58 in the shaft J, permits the rear end 56 of said shaft tobe mounted in fixed bearings adjacent the platform 43, while the forwardend 51 of said shaft can swing back and forth across the machine withthe supporting frame G, without interfering with the operatlon of theworm elements 62 and 63, it being understood that the telescopicconnection 58 provides for the necessary extension of the shaft J whenthe forward supporting frame G is disposed at one side of the machineframe.

The lateral conveyer E preferably consists of a pair of side bars 68between which is mounted an endless apron 69. The bottom 70 of thelateral conveyer E is supported upon a plurailty of pairs of rollers 71mounted upon brackets 7 2 which are secured to the machine frame. Forthe purpose of preventing the endless conveyer E from becoming displacedfrom the rollers 71, the bottom 70 is formed with depending side flanges73 which fit down against the ends of the rollers. By reason of the factthat the lateral conveyer E is mounted upon the rollers 71, saidconveyer can be shifted from one side to the other of the machine so asto discharge the dirt either to the right or the left as desired. Thepreferred means for shifting the lateral conveyer consists of a handwheel 7 4 connected with a vertical shaft 75 on which is mounted a drumthe endless apron 69.

76. Wound upon the driiifi 76 is a flexible element .77 the oppositeends of which are connected with eyes 78 upon the conveyer E, so that byrotating the hand wheel 74 the conveyer can be readily shifted up on therollers 7 1'.

The preferred means for operating the lateral conveyer E consists of anendless sprocket chain 79 which extends around sprocket wheels 80 on theshafts of which is mounted The sprocket chain 79, as shown in Fig. 3,extends around a pair of idle wheels 81 and is looped downward asindicated at 82 so as to pass around a sprocket wheel 83. The sprocketwheel 83, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, is mounted upon a shaft 84 which isjournaled in hangers 85 secured to the machine frame. Mounted upon theshaft 84 is a bevel wheel 86 which, for the purpose of permitting theconveyer E to be moved in one direction or the other or to be thrown outof operation, is in mesh with a pair of oppo sitely-disposed bevel gearWheels 87 and 88 journaled in hangers 89 upon the machine frame. Each ofthe wheels 87 and 88 is formed with an integral belt-receiving portion90. Mounted loosely upon a shaft 91 between the bevel wheels 87 and 88is a belt wheel 92 which is adapted to be operated by means of anendless belt 93 extending at its lower end around an elongated beltwheel 94 on the main shaft 35, as shown in Fig. 3. hen it is desired torotate the conveyer E in one direction, the belt 93 is shifted intoengagement with one of the gear wheels 87-88, and when it is desired toreverse the movement of the conveyer, the belt is shifted intoengagement with the other wheel. If it be desired to stop the movementof the conveyer, the belt 93 is shifted on to the idle belt wheel 92.'.l he means for shifting the belt 93 so as to control the movements ofthe conveyer E, preferably consists of a hand lever 95 which, asindicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, is

- connected at its lower end with a forwardlyextending shaft or rock bar96 having at its forward end a depending bifurcated member 97. I

It is one of the objects of the present invention partly to relieve thedrive wheels C of the necessity of driving the elevator D and thelateral conveyer E. This is especially desirable when the ditchingmachine is 0}. erating on round the character of which renders it di'cult for the carrying wheels C to secure sufficient grip fo roperatingthe conveyer. Furthermore, by relieving the ground wheels of a part ofthe work of operating the elevator D and conveyer E, the draft upon theditching machine is materially decreased.

The means which I prefer to employ for assistin in the operation of theelevator D and lateral conveyer E, consists of an engine K which may beof any suitable type such, for example, as an explosion engine, as shownin Fig. 3. The engine K, which is provided with balance wheels 98,preferably is housed in a casing 99, shown in Fig. 1. Mounted on theengine shaft is a pair of belt wheels 100, one of which is fixed and theother of which is loose on the shaft. The wheels 100 are adapted to beengaged by a belt 101 which serves to operate a belt wheel 102 upon themain shaft 35. The belt 101 is shifted from the loose belt wheel 100 tothe fixed belt Wheel, or vice versa, for throwing the engine into andout of operation, by means of a hand lever 103 journaled upon themachine frame as indicated at 104, the pivot point 104being in thenature of a forwardly-extending shaft having a depending a-rm 105connected by means of a link 106 with a slide rod 107 havingupwardly-extending arms 108 fitting against opposite edges of the belt101 so that by operating the lever 103 the belt 101 can be readilyshifted.

It will be apparent from the'foregoing description that the improvedmachine of the present invention is adapted in a simple and thoroughlyeflicient manner to plow and take up a continuous strip of land which isconveyed upward upon the elevator D and laterally by the conveyer E soas to be discharged in a continuous manner into a wagon which may bedriven along by the side of the ditching machine. If it be not desiredto discharge the dirt in a continuous manner, the lateral conveyer maybe stopped until a '1 quantity of earth has collected on the uppersurface thereof, after which a wagon can be driven into position and thedirt discharged by re 'starting the conveyer. By reason of the fact thatthe elevator D together with the plow 4 is suspended from the pairs oflinks 21 and 30, it will be obvious that in the event that the plowshould strike a stone or other obstruction, the entire plow and elevatorcan yield rearwardly so as to avoid any breakage of the parts.Furthermore, the employment of the wheeled supporting frames G and Hermits the elevator D and plow to be readi y shifted from one side ofthe machine to the other, and the extensible shaft J which is operatedby the hand wheel permits the forward end of the elevator D to bereadily raised and lowered irrespective of its position upon the machineframe; that is to say, the elevator can be raised just as Well when itis located at one side of the machine as it can when it is disposed inthe center. By providing an engine such as K, the draft of the entiremachine is materially reduced, so as to render it possible to operatethe same with a lesser number of draft animals than would otherwise benecessary. In order to accomplish this result, a small engine can beemployed which will be inexpensive to operate.

The improved machine of this invention is strong, simple, durable andinexpensive in construction as well as thoroughly eflicient inoperation.

What is claimed is:

1. A ditching machine having a plow, an elevator, and pivotal links forsupporting the front and rear ends of the elevator.

2,. A ditchin machine having a plow, an elevator, latera l -movableforward and rear supporting frames, and pivotal links connecting theends of said elevator with said forward and rear supporting frames.

3. A ditching machine having a plow, an elevator, forward and rearsupporting frames for the ends of the elevator, links connecting theelevator with said supporting frames, means for moving said supportingframes laterally upon the machine, and means for raising and loweringthe forward end of the elevator. a

4. A ditching machine having a laterally and verticallymovable'elevator, and an'extensible shaft for raising and lowering saidelevator.

5. A ditching machine having a laterally and vertically movableelevator, and an extensible shaft for raising and lowerin said'elevator, said shaft being provided wit uni versal joints, for thepurpose specified.

6. A ditching machine having a laterallymovable forward sup ortingframe, an elevator having a pivota link connectionwith said supportingframe, a worm drum mounted on said supporting frame and having aflexible connection with said elevator for raising and lowering thesame, a worm for operating said drum, and an extensible shaft connectedwith said worm and provided with universal joints.

7. A ditching machine having a main frame consisting of lower sills,intermediate rearwardly and upwardly inclined bars and upper rearwardlyand upwardly inclined bars, forming a frame which is high at its rearend and low at its forward end, a forwardly and downwardly inclinedelevator mounted -in said frame, and hand wheels mounted at the rearupper end of said frame for moving said elevator laterally andvertically.

8. A ditching machine having carrying wheels, a plow, an elevator,forward and rear supporting frames, pivotal links connecting theelevator with the forward and rear su porting frames, a worm journaledupon t e forward supporting frame, means operated by said worm forraising and lowering the for ward end of the elevator, an extensibleshaft connected with said worm for rotating the same, a second shafthaving flexible elements connected with said forward and rear supportingframes for moving the same laterally, a lateral conveyer mountedadjacent the rear end of said elevator, means for moving said lateralconveyer in a longitudinal direction,

means for starting, stopping and reversing said lateral conveyer, a mainshaft for operating said elevator and lateral conveyer, an operatingconnection between said carrying wheels and said main shaft, and anengine having an operating connection with said main shaft.

9. A ditching machine having a forward su porting frame, a plurality ofrollers jour naled upon said supporting frame so as to rotate around avertical axis, a plurality of rollers journaled on said supporting frameso as to rotate around a horizontal axis, laterally extending trackwaysfor said rollers, and an elevator having a pivotal link connection withsaid supporting frame, for the purpose specified.

10. A ditching machine having a supporting frame consisting of curvedmain bars, a lower cross-bar and an upper cross-bar, rollers journaledupon said lower cross-bar to rotate around a vertical axis, rollersjournaled upon said upper cross-bar to rotate around a horizontal axis,trackways for said rollers, and an elevator having a pivotal linkconnection with said supporting frame.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixedmy signature .in the presence oftwo witnesses.

ADAM J. KOOB.

Witnesses: 4 7 JOHN BURIANOH,' JI'., F. O. MEKOTA.

